Friday, June 29, 2012

So, my last post was about this book called The New Runner. Well, after having gone through and looking at what Weeks 1 and 2 look like, I can tell you this is not for someone who has never hit the pavement running. Which is me. I do not run. This fatty likes to walk, briskly.

Week 1 has you starting out running for 10 minutes straight, and then 15. No no no no no. I can't do it. I tried. I actually tried today, and got about 3 minutes in before I was wheezing so bad I thought I was going to die in my Mother-In-Law's office (where her treadmill is).

So, I've decided to add to this author's regimen, and add weeks 0.25 and 0.50.

Week 0.25 will consist of 2 minute and then 4 minute runs during the 6-day week.

Week 0.50 will consist of 5 minute and 8 minute runs during the 6-day week.

If after those 2 weeks I'm still not ready for this guy's book, well then I may consider another alternative. But I heard running is so good for your ENTIRE body. What else is out there that does such a complete workout? (That doesn't require any money?)

I'm giving myself a pat on the back for not automatically quitting this thing. Because I really DO want to get fit, and I really DO want to run..... I just can't. Not yet. So, my amending what I want to do into something I CAN do, I think that I can ease my mind and body into going with each other.

I will start on Sunday, so that my weeks won't get confused with the calendar. I'm half blonde, and easily get confused about my days. :-)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Hello blogger fans! This is just a small update, I've got some spare time before work this morning and with no where to go, I thought I'd update the..... 6 of you that read this. :-)

I found this book on my Kindle Fire, I was able to "rent" it through the "Kindle Owner's Lending Library" which is a perk of having an Amazon Prime membership. It's called "The New Runner: A 12 Week Plan for New Runners" by Bill Ebersohl.

I have only really read through the introductory part of it, but the author says his biggest accomplishment was not training himself to run, but inspiring his wife to run too. She didn't ever want to run, and flat out told him not to train her. One day on their vacation she joined him partway on a run on the beach. And then she enjoyed it. So she kept going. But she still says she's 'not a runner" although she's participated in the Boston Marathon and many others.

^---- THIS. Is exactly the stuff I hope will help me. If this guy's program can help a woman who defiantly hates running (She only does marathons for charity) run marathons, then maybe it will get this blubber-butt off my blubbering butt and out the door.

My mother-in-law owns a treadmill. One she says is mine for the using whenever I want. She also has a decent-sized pool I can used too. She works early hours so I can most of the time go over there without her being home (I'm not a fan of running where people can see me....) But I have never done it. WHY? I have no idea. I mean, I do, but do I want to admit it to myself? They say the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. Okay, here it goes....

I don't do it because it's too hard, and I'm fat and lazy.

I don't feel any better, but I guess now that my secret is out on the open.... better figure out a way to fix it. So, back to this book, I got this book because it has baby-steps in it. You're not out there Day 1 running 4 miles. You're not even running it all. This is why I think this program will work. It takes 21 days to establish a habit, this guy is giving me 12 weeks of good behaviors to establish.

And, I've made a promise to myself. If I complete this 12-Week program, I can allow myself to join a gym and reap benefits of commercial-grade exercise machines and fitness classes (I've always wanted to do a spin class!)

So, I'll keep you guys informed of my progress, and maybe on my days off during the week instead of walking like I have been doing, I'll go over and use the treadmill and pool that I have unlimited access to. Maybe I'll even get a tan?? ;-)

"There’s an empty room at the end of the hall And it’s begging to swallow you whole Each step you take Makes it easier for you to fall on your face Each tear you fake Makes it easier to see straight through you now And you’re so hateful sometimes Throwing punches at lies Fall from somewhere above Just to say you’re in love"

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Today's blog is going to be simple, yet oh-so-complicated. It just depends on what side of the screen you're on. My side, hard; so lucky you, you've got it easy! ;)

I have had the EA Active 2 for the Wii for awhile now. There was even a point in my life where it was a regular occurrence and I was getting healthier. For one reason or another, I stopped doing it and it fell to the back of my games drawer to sit and collect dust. Until today. I decided to get off my fat ass (after making some truly important phone calls) and get a workout in before I went to work. It is way too damn hot outside, and the fact that there's a 70% chance of lightning/thunderstorms today, so I reached WAAAAYYY back and found my old friend! The heart rate monitor, leg sensor, and even the EA Active USB stick were all still there and their batteries still good! Yay!

For those who are unfamiliar...

It's a really neat device, and EA did a good job designing it. It's wireless, so no more pesky Wiitroller cords to tie you up! Plus, a very good heart rate monitor (I checked it against the Garmin I had when I first got the game) and it was within a BPM or two, which for a gaming system, had me impressed.

So anyway, I went in, and rather than face the "hey you failed all your goals" message I knew was waiting for me on my profile, I deleted it and started new; because I was already making an effort to do this and didn't want any negative to deter me.

I set up a new avatar (I'll get pics, she's cute!) and set my weight, height, age, etc, and then started a 21-day Kickstart program, designed to get me back in the habit. I chose medium difficulty, because easy is designed for people who just want some light cardio (hello- take your damn dog for a walk if you want light cardio!) and hard, well... let's just say I'm not ready yet.

I get ready to do my workout, start with the warmups, and then I put my earbuds on and turn Mr. Clippy on full blast.

<--Mr. Clippy

My music tastes are actually pretty eclectic, if you were to peek in my iTunes I have Metallica, Taylor Swift, some Pearl Jam, Backstreet Boys, Madonna, Santana, Sinatra..... you kinda get the groove. I actually do tend to listen to a little bit of everything, although death metal is a rarity (It has to have some really good guitar solos!) But Mr. Clippy only has music with beats that can keep up with my workouts.

The point to this blog is coming. So, in the mix, while I'm at the peak of my exercise, a song comes on. Now, I'm no Eminem or Rihanna fan by any means (Yes I have some of their music but their personal lives and actions prohibit me from actually enjoying them as people), but the song "Love the Way You Lie" is right now a personal favorite. It won't let me embed the video, but I gave you the link... (Which has Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox)

Chorus - Rihanna:]Just gonna stand there and watch me burn But that's alright because I like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there and hear me cry But that's alright because I love the way you lie I love the way you lie

[Eminem]I can't tell you what it really is I can only tell you what it feels like And right now it's a steel knife in my windpipe I can't breathe but I still fight while I can fight As long as the wrong feels right it's like I'm in flight High off of love, drunk from my hate, It's like I'm huffing paint and I love it the more I suffer, I suffocate And right before I'm about to drown, she resuscitates me She fucking hates me and I love it. Wait! Where you going? "I'm leaving you" No you ain't. Come back we're running right back. Here we go again It's so insane cause when it's going good, it's going great I'm Superman with the wind at his back, she's Lois Lane But when it's bad it's awful, I feel so ashamed I snapped Who's that dude? I don't even know his name I laid hands on her, I'll never stoop so low again I guess I don't know my own strength

[Chorus - Rihanna:] Just gonna stand there and watch me burn But that's alright because I like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there and hear me cry But that's alright because I love the way you lie I love the way you lie I love the way you lie

[Eminem] You ever love somebody so much you can barely breathe When you're with 'em You meet and neither one of you even know what hit 'em Got that warm fuzzy feeling Yeah, them chills you used to get 'em Now you're getting fucking sick of looking at 'em You swore you'd never hit 'em; never do nothing to hurt 'em Now you're in each other's face spewing venom in your words when you spit them You push, pull each other's hair, scratch, claw, hit 'em Throw 'em down, pin 'em So lost in the moments when you're in them It's the rage that's the culprit controls you both So they say you're best to go your separate ways Guess if they don't know you 'cause today that was yesterday Yesterday is over, it's a different day Sound like broken records playing over but you promised her Next time you show restraint You don't get another chance Life is no Nintendo game But you lied again Now you get to watch her leave out the window Guess that's why they call it window pane

[Chorus - Rihanna:] Just gonna stand there and watch me burn But that's alright because I like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there and hear me cry But that's alright because I love the way you lie I love the way you lie I love the way you lie

[Eminem] Now I know we said things, did things that we didn't mean And we fall back into the same patterns, same routine But your temper's just as bad as mine is You're the same as me But when it comes to love you're just as blinded Baby, please come back It wasn't you, baby it was me Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano All I know is I love you too much to walk away though Come inside, pick up your bags off the sidewalk Don't you hear sincerity in my voice when I talk I told you this is my fault Look me in the eyeball Next time I'm pissed, I'll aim my fist at the drywall Next time. There won't be no next time I apologize even though I know its lies I'm tired of the games I just want her back I know I'm a liar If she ever tries to fucking leave again Im'a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire I'm just gonna

[Chorus - Rihanna:] Just gonna stand there and watch me burn But that's alright because I like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there and hear me cry But that's alright because I love the way you lie I love the way you lie I love the way you lie

Now, the two blurbs I highlighted started to mean something to me today. Rihanna's voice took on the person inside me that doesn't want to put in the work to make my life healthier, and my body better (by definition). And Eminem's voice took on the fight that's inside me, trying to make it work, and being so angry sometimes it wants to lash out. The song is about lovers, but to me, this song is my definition as of right now.

I really do hope you enjoy it..... You may not be a fan, and that's okay, but for me, this song is who I am right NOW.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Let me begin by giving you the reason for this lovely rant. I was at Olive Garden with some girl friends a few weeks ago and I was tempted of course to dive into their ravioli and lasagna and all the other starchy, bad-for-me goodness that Italians (and even fake ones like restaurants) know how to do.

However... I was also feeling the soon-to-come pain of guilt about it, so I decided to order off of their "light" menu. I should have known right away from the little blurb that said "All items are 800 calories or less and have ## amount of trans fat or less".

800 Calories.

800 CALORIES!

800 FRIGGIN CALORIES!!

Yeah.... so there was fair warning number one. Except it was odd that the menu I had didn't have individual caloric counts for the meals... just that warning overall. So, I went with a shrimp primavera that had a light sauce and broccoli too. It really was the best option they had.

It was delicious of course. And I had a blast with my girl friends and made a few new ones too. But I paid for it with how my body started to treat me. My meal was 750 calories. I felt like I had eaten a ton of food and was weighed down and sluggish. It wasn't until the next morning did I actually find out my caloric intake.

Needless to say... I felt ashamed of myself.

And so, my search began. I looked at some of my favorite dishes from restaurants (on their websites) and found exactly what a typical caloric count looked like both on and off of their "lighter option" menus.

I could go on and on for days. The obesity problem America is having is not a whisper behind hands anymore. According to the CDC, nearly one third of all American adults are obese. So, think about your two best friends. Are they relatively fit? Yes? Then guess what. Yeah. Exactly.

They go on to say that almost 17% of the youth were obese. This should not happen! I'm sure there are parents out there who care about what goes into their and their children's bodies, but there is a larger population of people who do not. Parents take the kids to McDonald's now to shut them up. What type of parenting is that?! (BTW- as a childless adult I realize I do not know what it's like to be a parent. But I know what it's like to be the child of a parent who doesn't care what I eat.)

I can dedicate a whole 700 blogs to the obesity epidemic. After all, I'm the one in three. What I want to get down to is the portion size of restaurants and the fact that there is no one to stop them from doing it is what's force-feeding America today.

Now, I know there will be those who say that we all have the choice to stay at home, cook at home, and be healthy by avoiding restaurants, and I agree that we all should do that! But taking into account the average working American eats out 4-5 times a week and I don't see a lot of commercials on TV about staying home and cooking with the family... It's not the easy. We all know that. It's faster to grab pizza from the local joint than to cook it up yourselves. Plus, all those things we have to do to make pizza! Ugh! Sometimes the day has just been too long to really cook anything. I know; I've been there.

There was an article I read online (link: http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/05/25/052512-news-bigger-burgers/ ) that really spoke to me. This really only goes towards fast food, but think about how the world of food has changed in just 60ish years. That's only ONE GENERATION. How could that happen?!

This might mean I start bringing a scale to dinner when I go out. I have been so bold to do it before, why not make it part of my meal routine? I do it at home. It's called

PORTION CONTROL!!!

and we as Americans don't practice that anymore! I'm sick of being my size and I'm ready for a change!!!!

And on that high note. I'm done. I can't formulate thoughts clearly now that I'm all agitated and wound up. I'm going to shower and get out of the house and DO SOMETHING! :-)

I take my leave of you with some inspiring words...

"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support.

Well, "later today" turned out to be a week or two later, however I am still planning that lovely rant about "light" portions at restaurants and whatnot. It's 9AM right now. I'm icky and disgusting from my walk this morning and disappointed about my rain delay and my iPod dying. BTW- my iPod's name is "Mr. Clippy" (he's a clip Nano) and so if you see that in the future that's what I mean LOL.I have a doctor's appointment (monthly checkup) with my orthopedic surgeon at 11AM and then after that I'm going to come home, finish the blog, and then go swimming at my Mother-In-Law's house for a few hours and work on my "tan". Don't worry, I won't get burned again. I learned my lesson BIG TIME.

So, ta-ta for now. Let me leave you with some words of inspiration....